Wandering through the streets of Belmont on Arthur Avenue and side streets, you soon realize what a special place this is.
The most authentic Little Italy in New York City, Arthur Ave, despite changing demographics, still offers a unique slice of Italian tradition and history.

Just like a circus clown car, the politicians running for president won’t stop popping up in The Bronx with 3 making appearances in our borough after Bernie Sanders took our borough by storm a week ago.

In a borough that is home to so many great mom and pop restaurants and the home of Arthur Ave, New York City’s REAL Little Italy, it always baffles me why someone in The Bronx would choose to go to a chain restaurant like the Olive Garden.

That’s DEFINITELY not the ‘cucina italaliana’ (Italian kitchen) I grew up with spending time with my Italian high school friends and their families.

The Bronx has been home of many Italians during the 20th century. It is impossible, for those who are interested in knowing the history of the Italian American community, to ignore this New York borough; as it is impossible not to feel Italy in Arthur Avenue, that somebody calls “the real Little Italy”.

It is here that we’ve met John Calvelli, now Executive Vice President for the Public Affairs Division of the Wildlife Conservation Society and for sure the best person to ask something about the relationship between Italy and The Bronx. We thank him for his time, and the excellent lunch we had in one of the best restaurant in Arthur Avenue!

Time Out New York makes the case for The Bronx as the best borough and one of the reasons given is our exclusive story which you heard here first and that was Baron Ambrosia rescuing the poor pussy from the tree!

Here’s a list of some of Bronx-related news making the rounds on the internet and in the papers:

The New York Daily News reports that Roberto Clemente State Park will be getting major improvements and upgrades due to damage from Superstorm Sandy.
Chris Crowley of Serious Eats serves up the ‘Ultimate Guide to Buying Italian Ingredients on Arthur Avenue’
Van Nest residents are fed up with a wave of graffiti tagging that has been ‘plaguing’ the neighborhood since the neighborhood is no longer represented by Senator Klein who had a graffiti removal program. The area is now represented by Senator Gustavo who doesn’t have a plan in place for such issues.
The New York Times reports that JLo’s homecoming to The Bronx was long overdue according to fans (including Welcome2TheBronx who was interviewed for this article on Jennifer Lopez and her return).

While Bronxites and countless New Yorkers know that if they want the best Italian experience in the city you avoid Manhattan’s Little Italy, many do not know to come to Arthur Avenue in Belmont the Bronx.

The BBC has published an interesting video report (link to video at the bottom of the story) on the changing faces of Belmont, something which many readers and Bronxites have commented on.